Weirton Rotary Mardi Gras Gala fast approaching

January 17, 2013

WEIRTON - Plans are coming together for this year's Mardi Gras Gala organized by the Rotary Club of Weirton Heights.

The annual fundraiser will take place at 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Williams Country Club. Individual tickets are $50 each, and the event will include food, live entertainment and a chance for a variety of prizes.

"Our Mardi Gras Gala has built a reputation as one of the best parties in Weirton," club President Dave Whalen said.

Rotarians have selected Piece by Peace as the beneficiary of this year's gala. Each year, club members select a local nonprofit organization to receive the proceeds from the fundraiser.

"We are very excited, and we look forward to working hard and making it a great success," Piece by Peace co-owner Patty Soplinski said.

Operated out of Krazy 'Bout Sportz, at 2850 Weir Ave. in Weirton, Piece by Peace offers sensory rooms to assist residents with a variety of conditions, including autism and Alzheimer's.

The proceeds of Mardi Gras will assist with opening the second area for the operation.

"It's going toward the quiet room of our sensory rooms," she said.

The current sensory room in operation offers opportunities for individuals to participate in guided play activities to develop skills, but Soplinski explained the "quiet room" will be geared more toward the development of oral, auditory and optical abilities.

Piece by Peace first opened last spring. At the time, owners said the closest similar facility was in Wheeling.

In addition to individual tickets, several sponsorship opportunities are available for the event.

A diamond level sponsorship is $2,500 and includes 20 tickets; a platinum sponsorship is $1,000, with 10 tickets; gold level, $500, six tickets; silver, $275, four tickets; and bronze, $150, two tickets.

Whalen explained local band Legend will provide live music, and the menu is being prepared by Williams Country Club General Manager and Executive Chef Tom Raymond and his staff.

Rotarians also are looking for donations for prizes to be included in a drawing the night of the event.